Poland downs Russian drones, PM Tusk calls incursion ‘provocation on a large scale’

Poland said early Wednesday (September 10, 2025) that its airspace was violated by Russian drones, and that the country and its NATO allies shot down some that posed a direct threat.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on social media: “Last night the Polish airspace was violated by a huge number of Russian drones. Those drones that posed a direct threat were shot down.”

He said, “We are dealing with a large-scale provocation…We are ready to repel such provocations. The situation is serious, and no one doubts that we must prepare for various scenarios,” Mr. Tusk said.

The armed forces posted on social media that a search for possible crash sites is ongoing and urged people not to approach, touch or move any objects they see, warning that they may pose a threat and could contain hazardous material.

Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz wrote on X that “more than ten objects” crossed into Polish airspace and those that constituted a risk to Poland’s security were neutralised.

EU’s Kallas says Polish ‘airspace violation by Russia’ seemed ‘intentional’

The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said that Russia appeared to have intentionally violated Polish airspace after Warsaw scrambled jets to shoot down drones.

“Last night in Poland we saw the most serious European airspace violation by Russia since the war began, and indications suggest it was intentional, not accidental,” Ms. Kallas wrote on X.

“The EU stands in full solidarity with Poland. Russia’s war is escalating, not ending,” Ms. Kallas added.

NATO to discuss drones that entered Poland

The North Atlantic Council is meeting for a regular session and will discuss how NATO responded to the drones that entered Poland overnight, NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said. 

(With inputs from AFP, AP and Reuters)